The Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, has said that 226 local government areas across 33 states and the Federal Capital Territory have been identified as high flood-risk areas for this year.
He made this known on Wednesday during the public presentation of the 2026 Annual Flood Outlook by the Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency, held at the State Banquet Hall of the Aso Villa in Abuja.
“14,118 communities in 266 Local Government Areas (LGAs) in 33 States and FCT fall within the high flood risk areas. The States are: Abia, Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Enugu, Gombe, Imo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Kwara, Lagos, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Plateau, Rivers, Sokoto, Taraba, Yobe, Zamfara, and the FCT.”
The outlook also shows that 405 LGAs in 35 states fall within the moderate flood-risk category, with Ekiti State not listed among them.
Meanwhile, minimal flooding is expected in 923 communities across 77 LGAs in 24 states.
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“Low Flood Risk: Incidences of minimal flood are expected in 923 communities in 77 LGAs in 24 States. The States are Adamawa, Anambra, Bauchi, Bayelsa, Benue, Borno, Cross River, Delta, Ebonyi, Edo, Jigawa, Kaduna, Kano, Kebbi, Kogi, Nasarawa, Niger, Ogun, Ondo, Osun, Oyo, Sokoto, Taraba, and Zamfara.”
Utsev added that this year’s flood outlook includes a community-based forecasting system, allowing for more localised predictions and quicker response.
The event, themed ‘Smart Water Resources Management: Moving From Oil To A Water-Based Economy’, was attended by the Minister of Environment, who represented President Bola Tinubu, the Minister of Water Resources and Sanitation, Professor Joseph Utsev, and the Minister of Livestock Development, Idi Maiha, among other stakeholders.